Archive for the 'The Drums' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

April 16th, 2011, 12:06 pm by GEORGE A. PAUL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

More from Day 1 ... Although the festival's main stage had its fair share of technical problems on Friday -- there were initially glitches galore with the heavily treated projection screens during Kings of Leon's solid set -- the Outdoor Theatre stage was the site of some transcendent, flawless performances, especially Cold War Kids at dusk. (More on CWK coming soon.)

UPDATE: I'd always heard CWK put on a dynamic live show, but didn't realize how much until seeing them for the first time on the Outdoor Theatre stage. The band, initially based in the O.C. and now out of Long Beach, recently released the fine Mine Is Yours, a more textured collection produced by Jacquire King (Kings of Leon's producer of choice).

Starting this Friday set around dusk with the intense, reverb-drenched "Mexican Dogs," Nathan Willett then gave his high vocal range a real workout on the spirited "Royal Blue," punctuated by Matt Aveiro's tribal beats. Among the other high points: "I've Seen Enough," the U2-like "Hospital Beds," "Bulldozer" (which had a captivating sense of dramatic uplift), the lurching alt-radio hit "Hang Me Out to Dry," and a passionate vocal delivery on "Louder Than Ever."

Willett was also gracious for all the fans watching them during this second, much bigger Coachella appearance -- instead of heading to the main stage to see Interpol. Satisfying on every level.

Also memorable on the second stage was the Killers' frontman. At Coachella 2009, that Vegas gang headlined Day 2; this time around, Brandon Flowers was flying solo in support of his engaging Flamingo album from last year. The lush, galloping “Only the Young” got the second stage set off to a dreamy start as Flowers' clear-as-a-bell vocals were bolstered by two cooing female backing singers.

September 23rd, 2010, 11:04 am by BEN WENER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Summer may have just ended but you wouldn't know it from the concert calendar – there are so many shows in the next 10 days, you'd think it were the thick of July.

In addition to previews we've just posted about this weekend's Epicenter Twenty Ten festival in Fontana and next week's Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper's Gruesome Twosome Tour stop at Gibson Amphitheatre, we have interviews coming up with Zac Brown Band (Sunday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, with Robert Randolph & the Family Band) plus the return of Pete Yorn (Tuesday at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano) -- and I'd mention Rancid has two benefit shows at the Music Box in Hollywood Friday and Saturday if they weren't already sold out. But there's plenty more on the way to consider.

• Muse -- A little more than five months after making an impressive headlining debut at Coachella, Matthew Bellamy (right) and his English mates in this prog-rock trio return for a string of Southern California dates that kicked off Wednesday night at Viejas Arena in San Diego and continues with tonight's biggest-ever O.C. appearance from the band, at Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., in Anaheim. Tickets are $47.15-$77.85. Then they group moves to Los Angeles for two nights (Saturday and Sunday) at Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., $35-$65. Passion Pit opens all dates. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com

• The Week at the Greek -- As October beckons, the best venue in Southern California is starting to wind down – but not without hosting a few more rare gems and old reliables. Willie Nelson & Family appear Friday night, with Oscar winner Ryan Bingham and his band the Dead Horses opening, $50.65-$88.50. Seattle's Band of Horses, touring behind their excellent third album Infinite Arms, headline the amphitheater for the first time Saturday night, with Admiral Radley and the often great L.A. band Darker My Love opening, $40.90-$48.60. Come Wednesday it's an evening with the Dukes of September Rhythm, teaming Steely Dan's Donald Fagen with Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, $50.65-$120.40. And then Train pulls into the Greek on Thursday, with Needtobreathe in tow, $40.95-$50.65. On the horizon after that: Dane Cook, Oct. 1-2; Van Morrison, Oct. 5; Maroon 5, Oct. 8-9; Widespread Panic, Oct. 22; Interpol, Oct. 23. 800-745-3000. greektheatrela.com, ticketmaster.com

• Sara Bareilles -- The singer-songwriter of the Grammy-nominated “Love Song” (left) has returned to mixed reviews with her third album, the just-released Kaleidoscope Heart, selections from which will surely be the focus of her show Tuesday night at the Orpheum Theatre, 642 S. Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are $38.45-$46.20. Noted singer-songwriters Greg Laswell and Javier Dunn will open. That lineup also plays Wednesday at House of Blues San Diego, 1055 5th Ave., $31.45. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com